Dental Health Orthodontics Overview of Cephalometric X-Rays By Shawn Watson Shawn Watson Shawn Watson is an orthodontic dental assistant and writer with over 10 years of experience working in the field of dentistry. Learn about our editorial process Updated on June 09, 2022 Medically reviewed by Edmund Khoo, DDS Medically reviewed by Edmund Khoo, DDS Edmund Khoo, DDS, is board-certified in orthodontics and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked by Nick Blackmer Fact checked by Nick Blackmer LinkedIn Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact-checker, and researcher with more than 20 years’ experience in consumer-oriented health and wellness content. Learn about our editorial process Print A cephalometric X-ray, which is also sometimes referred to simply as a ceph, is a diagnostic radiograph used primarily for orthodontic treatment planning. A cephalometric X-ray is taken during the orthodontic records appointment. Cephalometric X-rays are also used by otolaryngologists—doctors who specialize in the treatment of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) disorders such as sleep apnea—because these X-rays provide a view of the patient’s airways. Chesky_W / Getty Images The Process of a Cephalometric X-Ray The process of undergoing a cephalometric X-ray is pretty straightforward. Concentrating on the patient’s profile—or side view of the head—the X-ray technician positions the patient according to specific criteria necessary when taking a cephalometric X-ray. The exposure takes approximately 10 seconds and the X-ray is developed in a few minutes. Most dental offices are equipped with the equipment necessary to take a cephalometric X-ray. Once developed, the dentist will use tracing paper, and “trace the ceph” in order to calculate how the patient’s jaw and surrounding bone will be affected by orthodontic treatment, along with providing the dentist with a look into the growth pattern of the jaw and teeth. This can be used to determine potential courses of action and routes of treatment. Recent research has looked at using computers to speed the identification of these anatomical landmarks. Cephalometric X-rays may be taken intermediately throughout orthodontic treatment, although most orthodontists will only take a preliminary ceph, then a final ceph when treatment is completed. Occasionally, they will decide to take a ceph in the middle of orthodontic treatment to monitor progress. The Similarity to Panorex X-Ray Having a cephalometric X-ray taken is very similar to having a panorex X-ray taken. A panorex X-ray is a two-dimensional X-ray used in the dental field. It gives a panoramic view of both jaws, the upper and lower, as well as the teeth, at the same time. Panorex films have several uses. They are used regularly for orthodontic assessments, diagnosis of wisdom teeth impaction, diagnosis of advanced periodontal disease, assessment of the jaw joint, as well as for detecting signs of oral cancer. During a panorex X-ray, the patient is asked to bite directly down on a specialized tool that works to assist the operator in positioning the head of the patient in the right position. The patient is also asked to remain extremely still during the X-ray. Once the X-ray is taken, it is displayed digitally on a computer monitor, or it is processed onto regular X-ray film, which is the traditional approach. 3 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Wang CW, Huang CT, Hsieh MC, et al. Evaluation and comparison of anatomical landmark detection methods for cephalometric X-ray images: a grand challenge. IEEE Trans Med Imaging. 2015;34(9):1890-1900. doi:10.1109/TMI.2015.2412951 Nunes Jr WR, Gozal D, Di Francesco RC. Cephalometric and pharyngometric evaluation in snoring children with sleep-disordered breathing and adenotonsillar hypertrophy under an orthodontic or orthopedic treatment. J Child Sci. 2019;09(01):e68-e74. doi:10.1055/s-0039-1692987 Mohammad-Rahimi H, Nadimi M, Rohban MH, Shamsoddin E, Lee VY, Motamedian SR. Machine learning and orthodontics, current trends and the future opportunities: a scoping review. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2021;160(2):170-192.e4. doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2021.02.013 By Shawn Watson Shawn Watson is an orthodontic dental assistant and writer with over 10 years of experience working in the field of dentistry. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit